Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Jackie Hoover scored five goals and Nicole Haines added three more as fifth-ranked West Chester University hung on for a 14-11 non-league women’s lacrosse victory over Rollins College at overcast and cold Vonnie Gros Field Sunday afternoon.
West Chester (7-0) remained perfect on the season while Rollins (5-4) saw its modest two-game winning streak come to a close.
Rollins outscored West Chester, 10-6, in the second half as head coach Dennis Short changed up game plans to try to erase an 8-1 deficit at the half. The Tars attacked the Rams’ cage much more aggressively, abandoning its ball-control, patient-style of offense from the first half. However, the final score’s difference of three goals was as close as Rollins would get all afternoon.
West Chester’s ability to keep the ball away from Rollins for much of the final seven minutes of play, despite the Tars pulling their goalkeeper to pressure the ball defensively, was crucial in the end. The Rams’ Katy Crouse picked up three critical draw controls after Rollin’s final three goals to win possessions for West Chester and enable them to run down the clock. Crouse finished the day with six draw controls in all and added four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
The Golden Rams capitalized on five of seven free position attempts in the contest, going 3-for-4 in the first half as the hosts built a 6-0 lead over the game’s first 19 minutes of play that proved to be all the cushion West Chester needed.
Claire Grimwood and Nicole Pyle each contributed two goals to the Golden Rams’ scoring. Theresa Giunta and Erin Oczkowski potted West Chester’s other two markers.
MacKenzie O’Keefe (4-0) made eight saves in the cage for West Chester. Alyssa Emens (5-4) made six saves for Rollins.
Marissa Giannerini led Rollins with four goals. Erica Pagliarulo scored twice, and Liz Connelly netted one goal and three assists. Sarah Ann Showell scored two goals in the game’s final nine minutes. Sophie Townsend and Katy Tyszko each scored once.
